Portable hand loom for weaving



K. SIMONS PORTABLE HAND LOOM FOR WEAVING Filed May 13, 1966 IIIHHHHWE INVENTOR IMnNj W mw ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice 3,332,448 PORTABLE HAND 1.00M FOR WEAVING Karl Simons, 61 Manning Ave, North Plainfield, NJ. 07060 Filed May 13, 1966, Ser. No. 550,041 6 Claims. (Cl. 13929) My invention relates generally to portable hand looms for weaving in which the heddles are reciprocated by a single drive and the selvage is held and easily disengaged from the loom.

It is an object of the invention to provide a multiple spool for holding a plurality of warped threads.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for releasably securing the selvage of the loomed product.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for maintaining the warped threads under tension.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a means for reciprocating heddles alternately to form a shed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device from which products of unlimited lengths may be loomed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable hand loom which is relatively inexpensive, easy to operate, portable and durable.

These objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages may be attained from the device shown in the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portable hand loom embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial side, elevational, cross-sectional view showing the heddles;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical, sectional view of the multiple spool; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 4-4, in FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Present portable hand looms frequently require a plurality of spools of great bulk, in order to provide an adequate supply of warped threads.

It also has been found that the selvage of the loomed product is inconveniently held and interferes with the application of the woof thread during weaving. *It has further been found that the reciprocation of heddles has been slow and inconvenient and requires an excessive amount of energy to form an adequate shed. It has further been found that present devices frequently do not permit the formation of unlimited lengths of loomed products. It has been found that it is possible to design a portable hand loom which has a multiple spool for supplying the warped thread, that has heddles that are easily and conveniently manipulated, that conveniently holds the selvage in such a manner that it does not interfere with the looming operation and also permits the easy removal of the selvage from the holding members, and such a loom may also permit the production of a loomed product of unlimited length. The device shown in the drawings by way of illustration and described in detail in the following paragraphs accomplishes these objectives.

The loom 11 provides a frame having opposite side rails 12, 12 connected together at the output end by a crossbrace 13. At the input end, the side rails 12, 12 are connected together in spaced relation to each other by a shaft 14 to the ends of which shaft, manipulating knobs 15 are applied. Immediately adjacent to the rails 12, 12 at the inner sides thereof, pinions 16 are attached to the shaft. On opposite sides of the pinions 16, 16 generally vertical slots 17, 17 are provided. These slots 17, 17 slidably receive heddles 18, 18. It will be seen that the heddles 18, 18 are transverse bars, preferably formed of metal 3,332,443 Patented July 25, 1967 and having upstanding enlargements 19 thereon. These enlargements or prongs 19 are provided with tapered ends, eyes or holes 20, through which the warp 21 threads are passed. For ease in threading the eyes with the warp threads, transverse slots communicate between the outer edge of the vertical enlargements 19 and the eyes 20, so that the warp threads 21 may be inserted into the eyes 20 through the slots 22. The heddles are each provided with enlargements or racks 23, which are engaged with the pinions 16, in such a manner that when one heddle 18 is down, the other heddle 18 is up. It will be seen that by twisting the knobs 15, that the heddles 17, 17 may be made to reciprocate, so that the warp threads 21 engaged with one heddle, will rise as the heddle 18 rises, and the alternate warp threads engaged with the other heddle 18 will fall, as that other heddle is lowered. It is further to be noted that the enlargements 19 on one heddle 18 are offset and in staggered relation to the enlargements 19 on the other opposite heddle 18. In this manner, alternate warp threads are connected to one heddle and alternate intervening threads are connected to the other heddle. The rising of one heddle and the falling of the other heddle 18 provides alternate threads in spaced relation to each other, and in this position, they are said to form a shed. Thus, the weaver may insert the woof threads 24 under the roof of the shed in the performance of the weaving operation, and the heddles may then be reciprocated so that the woof is seized between the warp threads 21, and a new roof for the shed of the lower alternate warp threads 21 is formed, for the application of the next woof thread 24. The warp threads 21 are supplied by a multiple reel 25. This multiple reel is mounted on a shaft 26, and as a plurality of radial discs 27 each of which defines a separate spool for warp threads. A crank (not shown) may be attached on the shaft 26, so that the warp threads 21 may be tensioned in the loom. In order to provide against the relaxation of tension of the warp threads (which also may be applied by manually rotating the reel 25) the outer most disc of the multiple reel 25 is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 29. A retainer pin 30 is inserted through the side rail 12, into one of these holes 29, so as to prevent the relaxation of tension of the warp threads 21 by locking the multiple reel 25 in position. Since the warp thread 21 has two ends, each of which proceeds from between the individual spools formed by the discs, a pin 31 is applied to the shaft between each pair of discs 27, so that the warp thread may be looped over the pin 31, and the shaft 26 revolved, thereby winding the warp thread 21 on an individual spool, leaving the two ends projecting from the individual spool. Thus, each individual spool supplies two warp threads 21 and it is not necessary to have individual sep arate spools for alternate warp threads 21. It is to be understood that the pin 31 on the shaft 26 is one of numerous optional expedients that can be resorted to for attaching the looped end of the warp thread 21 to the multiple reel 25.

The opposite end of the loom 11 provides a means for maintaining the warp thread 21 in spaced relation to each other, which is essential in order that the reciprocation of the heddles 18, 18 results in ultimate warp threads 21 being raised to form a shed. The maintenance of the warp threads 21 in spaced relation to each other is provided for by a plurality of slots 32, 32 in the top surface of the cross-brace 13. The warp threads 21 are passed through individual slots 32, and are then permitted to fall over the end of the cross-brace 13. When all of the slots 32 have been threaded with warp threads 21, and the ends of the warp threads 21 are draped down over the cross-brace 13, a pivotable gate 33 is applied to the end of the cross-brace 13, and is locked in place by a pin 34. The gate 33 seizes the warp threads 21, and holds 3 them tightly, so that the multiple reel may be wound to properly tension the warp threads 21. It will be seen that by the construction described, that the warp threads 21 are now set for the commencement of the looming operation. It remains to describe the construction which is essential for applying the woof threads.

Mounted on the opposite side rails 12, 12, there are guide rails 35, 35. These guide rails 35, 35 are the elements which hold the selvage of the loomed product in orderly edge relationship. The guide rails 35, 35 are attached to the frame at one end by having a downwardly bent portion 36 inserted in a slot. The opposite end of the guide rail 35, is attached to the other end of the frame in any suitable manner, such as by placing a pin 37 in a hole in the guide rail 35, and then placing the guide rail on a pin 37. The position of the guide rails 35, 35 should be generally on the level with the normal course of the warp threads 21. When the knobs 15 are manipulated, the alternate warp threads 21 will form the roof of the shed, which will be generally above the horizontal plane of the guide rails. This permits ease of insertion of the woof needle or carrier 38 between the alternate warp threads 31 forming the roof and floor of the shed. The return course of the Woof carrier or needle 38 is also made over the top of the guide rail after the heddles 18 have been reciprocated. However, the next two passes of the woof carrier 38 are carried on by passing the woof carrier 38 under the guide rail 35, manipulating the knob to raise the down-heddle to tip-position; then once more returning the Woof carrier or needles through the shed so formed by passing it under the guide rail 35.

When a sufiicient reach of loomed product has been built up on the guide rails 35, 35, the retainer is withdrawn and the gate 33 is unlocked by withdrawing the pin 34. The guide rails 35, 35 are released by pulling the ends 36 from the slots and off the pins 37. The loomed end of the product is drawn off of the guide rails, 35, 35 until only a few woof threads 24 remain on the guide rails 35. The gate is once more locked into position in the loomed product. A new length of warp having been drawn from the multiple reel 25, and the threads placed in the slots 33, the multiple reel 25 is again adjusted until the proper tension of the warp threads 21 is achieved, whereupon the retainer 30 is restored to hold the multiple reel 25. The looming operation then proceeds.

As a matter of convenience, it may be desirable to provide the loom 11 with suction cups 33, so that it may be anchored in place conveniently before the loom operator. With the novel multiple reel, and the positive action of the reciprocating heddle, with the demountable guide rails 35, 35, it is possible to produce with maximum convenience, a loomed product of unlimited length on a device which is exceedingly compact and easy to handle, operate and thread.

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention; these substitutes are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims, although they are not specifically catalogued herein.

What is claimed:

1. A loom comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) side-rails on the frame;

(0) means for holding a plurality of warp threads at one end of the frame;

(d) clamping means for holding a loomed product at the other end of the frame;

(e) guide rails attached to each of the side-rails;

(f) a pair of opposing, generally vertical slots on each of the side-rails;

(g) heddles slidably mounted for vertical, alternate reciprocation in the opposing slots;

(h) a rack-enlargement on each heddle extending toward the rack enlargement of the other heddle;

(i) a pinion rotatably mounted on one of the siderails and engaged with each rack-enlargement, whereby rotation of the pinion will cause the heddles to alternately reciprocate;

(j) vertical enlargements on one heddle arranged in staggered relation to the vertical enlargements on the other heddle.

2. A loom comprising:

(a) the device according to claim 1;

(b) the guide rails positioned generally in the same plane as the normal course of the warp threads before they are formed into a shed.

3. A loom comprising:

(a) the device according to claim 1;

(b) in which the device for holding a plurality of warp threads comprises;

(c) an axle;

(d) a plurality of discs mounted on the axle;

(e) pins between each of the discs and attached to the axle.

4. A loom Comprising:

(a) the device according to claim 1;

(b)a cross-brace attached to the side rails;

(c) a plurality of slots in the cross-brace positioned to receive warp threads and maintain them in general parallel spaced relation to each other.

5. A loom comprising:

(a) the device according to claim 1, and

(b) a gate pivotably attached to one end of the frame;

(c) means for securing the other end of the gate to the frame in clamping engagement with the loomed product.

6. A loom comprising:

(a) the device according to claim 1;

Y (b) in which the device for holding a plurality of warp threads comprises:

(c) an axle;

(d) a plurality of discs mounted on the axle;

(e) pin between each of the discs and attached to the axle;

(f) the guide rails positioned generally in the same plane as the normal course of the warp threads before they are formed into a shed;

g) a cross-brace attached to the side-rails;

(h) a plurality of slots in the cross-brace positioned to receive warp threads and maintain them in general parallel spaced relation to each other;

(i) a gate pivotably attached to one end of the frame;

(j) means for securing the other end of the gate to the frame in clamping engagement with the loomed product.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,139,879 12/1938 Clark et al. 139-43 2,350,167 5/1944 Jones et al. 139-29 2,481,955 9/1949 Simons 139-33 3,169,553 2/1965 Nisperly 139-33 FOREIGN PATENTS 532,946 9/ 1931 Germany. 487,398 11/1953 Italy.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

H. S. JAUDON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LOOM COMPRISING: (A) A FRAME; (B) SIDE-RAILS ON THE FRAME; (C) MEANS FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF WARP THREADS AT ONE END OF THE FRAME; (D) CLAMPING MEANS FOR HOLDING A LOOMED PRODUCT AT THE OTHER END OF THE FRAME; (E) GUIDE RAILS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE SIDE-RAILS; (F) A PAIR OF OPPOSING, GENERALLY VERTICAL SLOTS ON EACH OF THE SIDE-RAILS; (G) HEDDLES SLIDABLY MOUNTED FOR VERTICAL, ALTERNATE RECIPROCATION IN THE OPPOSING SLOTS; (H) A RACK-ENLARGEMENT ON EACH HEDDLE EXTENDING TOWARD THE RACK ENLARGEMENT OF THE OTHER HEDDLE; (I) A PINION ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON ONE OF THE SIDERAILS AND ENGAGED WITH EACH RACK-ENLARGEMENT, WHEREBY ROTATION OF THE PINION WILL CAUSE THE HEDDLES TO ALTERNATELY RECIPROCATE; (J) VERTICAL ENLARGEMENTS ON ONE HEDDLE ARRANGED IN STAGGERED RELATION TO THE VERTICAL ENLARGEMENTS ON THE OTHER HEDDLE. 